Sunshade

Abstract

The SUNSHADE according to the present invention includes a floor and a canopy attached to the floor which extends over the floor for protecting the occupants from sun and wind. The canopy and the floor are connected to each other along one end. The SUNSHADE also includes a self supporting support structure which includes two long flexible support rods and one or more, preferably three, shorter cross rods attached to the flexible support rods. The flexible support rods connected by the cross rods form an arch shape which supports the canopy in tension. The SUNSHADE according to the present invention addresses the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a sun and wind shelter which does not require attachment by stakes to the ground and which may be collapsed into a lightweight and compact configuration for carrying.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A collapsible shelter comprising: a ground covering sheet having a first end, a second end, and a length between the first and second ends;   a canopy having a first end, a second end, a length between the first and second ends, a first side, and a second side, the first end of the canopy being attached to the first end of the ground covering sheet and the canopy extends over at least half and less than the entire around cover;   first and second elongated flexible rods each having two ends and a length between the two ends greater than the length of the ground covering sheet; means for attaching the first and second elongated flexible rods, respectively, at a plurality of locations along the first and second sides of the canopy, so as to hold the canopy in tension;   means for attaching the ends of the first and second rods to the first and second ends of the ground covering sheet, so as to hold the ground covering sheet in tension; and   means for maintaining the first and second rods in a spaced apart configuration;   wherein the means for attaching the first and second rods to the first and second ends of the ground covering sheet includes pins provided on the rods and openings provided in the ground cover sheet.   
     
     
       2. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, wherein the first and second rods are each formed from a plurality of rod segments connected to one another. 
     
     
       3. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the first and second rods along the first and second sides of the canopy includes casings formed along the first and second sides of the canopy. 
     
     
       4. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, wherein the ground cover is substantially rectangular in shape. 
     
     
       5. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, wherein means for maintaining the first and second rods in a spaced apart configuration includes an elongated member attached to both the first and second rods. 
     
     
       6. The collapsible shelter according to claim 5 wherein the elongated member is positioned perpendicular to both the first and second rods. 
     
     
       7. The collapsible shelter according to claim 6, wherein the elongated member is provided with a means for attaching a center portion of the elongated member to the canopy. 
     
     
       8. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, wherein the means for maintaining the first and second rods in a spaced apart configuration includes at least two elongated members. 
     
     
       9. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, wherein the canopy is provided with one or more pockets. 
     
     
       10. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, wherein the canopy and the ground covering sheet are held in a tensioned position without attachment to the ground. 
     
     
       11. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, further comprising two bags which may be filled with sand for extra stability in windy conditions, and a tote bag for carrying the shelter in a collapsed condition. 
     
     
       12. The collapsible shelter according to claim 1, wherein the canopy and the ground covering sheet are formed of fabric.